, under the
apprehension of being flanked, commenced falling back in disorder,
though no enemy was pressing them, and this gave me the first
intimation of Gordon's condition. At the same time the enemy's
cavalry, observing the disorder on our ranks, made another charge
on our right, but was again repulsed. Every effort was made to
stop and rally Kershaw and Ramseur's men, but the mass of them
resisted all appeals, and continued to go to the rear without
waiting for any effort to retrieve the partial disaster."(22)

The charge of the division resulted in the total overthrow of
Early's army. Pegram and Wharton's divisions on our extreme left
near Middletown were soon involved in the disaster, and our whole
army went forward, meeting little resistance, taking many prisoners
and guns, only halting when Early's forces were either destroyed,
captured, or driven in the wildest disorder beyond Cedar Creek.(23)
Our cavalry under Merritt and Custer pursued until late in the
night to Fisher's Hill, south of Strasburg, and made many captures.

It often has been claimed that the cavalry on the right is entitled
to the credit of overthrowing Early's army. It is true Custer did
make some attempts on Gordon's left and rear, but the appearance
of Rosser's cavalry on Custer's right, north and east of Cedar
Creek, called him off, and it was not until after Early's position
had been penetrated and a general retreat had commenced that Custer
again appeared on the enemy's flank and rear. His presence there
had much to do with the wild retreat of Early's men. Custer, who
claimed much for his cavalry, and insisted that it captured forty-
five pieces of artillery, etc., did not in his report of the battle
pretend that his division caused the final break in Early's forces.
Speaking of his last charge on the left, Custer says:

"Seeing so large a force of cavalry bearing rapidly down upon an
unprotected flank and their line of retreat in danger of being
intercepted, the lines of the enemy, already broken, now gave way
in the utmost confusion."(24)

Part of Early's artillery and caissons, with ammunition and supply
trains, also ambulances and many battle flags, were captured north
of Cedar Creek. The cavalry, however, seized, south of the Creek,
other substantial fruits of the great victory, including many guns
and headquarters baggage and other trains, and some prisoners. A
panic seized teamsters on the turnpike; they cut out mules o